Um Can Expect Mild, If Not Dry, Day In W.va.

The Miami Hurricanes apparently won't have to deal with brutal cold when they travel to West Virginia for Saturday's showdown of Big East leaders.

The forecast for Morgantown calls for mild temperatures with a possible high of 60. Forecasters, however, predict a chance of showers.

It was unseasonably warm in Morgantown on Monday, with a high of 80.

They were noticeably affected by cold temperatures in the second half of their 35-7 victory at Pittsburgh on Nov. 6. The gametime low was 36 degrees at Pitt Stadium, with second-half snow flurries.

"We don't play in a lot of cold weather," coach Dennis Erickson said.

"It was cold at Pittsburgh, and maybe that affected us in the second half, but we can't concern ourselves with that. We have to execute regardless of the weather."

If the fourth-ranked 'Canes (8-1) win Saturday (Channels 10 and 25, 3:30 p.m.), they will clinch the conference championship.

If the ninth-ranked Mountaineers (9-0) win, they will clinch a tie for the title.

The Mountaineers have one conference game remaining after Miami. They play their season finale at Boston College on Nov. 26.

If UM and West Virginia tie for the Big East title, they will be recognized as co-champions. The higher ranked of the co-champs in the Bowl Poll is then likely to be the Bowl Coalition's first choice of Big East teams in making New Year's Day matchups.

West Virginia's ideal scenario would be to defeat Miami on Saturday while Boston College upsets Notre Dame. If the Mountaineers then defeat BC, they can make a strong case for the No.1 ranking heading into New Year's Day.

"It's a big opportunity for both teams," Erickson said.

The 'Canes are favored by 51/2 points.

Mountaineers QB expected to play

West Virginia quarterback Jake Kelchner is expected to practice today and be ready for the 'Canes.

Kelchner sat out the 49-7 victory over Temple last Saturday with a pulled hamstring. He is the nation's leader in passing efficiency, with a 183.3 rating.

p If Kelchner is unable to practice today or Wednesday, coach Don Nehlen said he will not play.

His backup, Darren Studstill of Palm Beach Gardens, is one of the best college backups.

"Our situation is Jake is No.1 and Darren is No.1A," Nehlen said.

Studstill threw for 308 yards and three touchdowns against Miami last year, although much of the yardage came after UM took a big lead.

Studstill threw for 274 yards against Temple.

Miami-Memphis State on ESPN

ESPN will televise UM's season finale from the Orange Bowl against Memphis State at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 27.

If the Hurricanes win, it will be their 57th consecutive home victory. That would tie the NCAA record set by Alabama between 1963 and '82.